England V Australia 2013-14 Ashes - ODI & T20 Series

I think there's a very big difference in class between the two sides .Its only looking close at certain times in matches , generally when the Aussies have a good session or two .Trouble is they never fulfill their promise. England when they have a bad session or two , generally come good again .This is the sign of a good team , who never give up .You only have to look over the last few years to see this .The last wicket battling draws they've eked out , when defeat looked inevitable .Once the Aussies have lost their captain ,they generally capitulate .God help them if Englands top order all click in the same innings , 'cos Cook & Trott are both due centuries .

It must be a very long time since we beat them 4-0 in a series AT HOME!! (or will this be the first time we've ever achieved it?)

(12-08-2013 20:05 )mickster Wrote:  

(12-08-2013 19:41 )HannahsPet Wrote:  hate if they went first ball 2moro paying all that money for 1 ball

If it had gone to 5th day with 1 wicket standing , it would have been free entry ,surely ?

I guess it would have been free entry and would you have travelled all that way for one ball?

(12-08-2013 20:29 )mickster Wrote:  I've only seen C5 highlights (recording Fernanda on sky.Bet that's first time she's been mentioned in a cricket thread !) and I agree with you .

I'm wondering if Fern would understand cricket, she probably would find it amusing!!

All i can say is well done to England and i cant see any reason why they cant make it 4-0 now,though the toss will be important.

(13-08-2013 07:07 )babelover48 Wrote:  would you keep the nucleus of this squad for the winter tour down under? If so which other players would you take as cover and which players would you take as uncapped for their first tour of Australia?

Bairstow could struggle to make the Tour but he would be back up keeper.

I think Monty may well have pissed his chances up against a wall or off a balcony,so Simon Kerrigan would offer left arm spin option,but would not get into the Test side.

Tremlett will be in the squad,if Finn still isn't right,maybe Boyd Rankin or a long shot Liam Plunkett.

As we haven't a left-hander in the middle order Gary Ballance would be a good pick or Michael Carberry who could offer cover for the openers or bat anywhere in the top six.

would KP go nor not? I have a feeling that he wouldn't go. I think you could be right about Bairstow he probably would find it hard to adapt down under and would you take Onions if he recovered in time?
I think Monty will never play test cricket again

England need to take a reserve Wicketkeeper to Australia that actually keeps wicket on a regular basis.Bairstow did 2 years ago but has lost his place in the T20 & ODI teams to Butler,but Kieswetter is Somerset's regular keeper & has had a good T20 competition.Butler is rumoured to be looking for a new county where he can be first choice Keeper.
Bairstow has the best First Class average,around 45,Kieswetter 40,& Butler 30,but England will have him hanging around the T20 & ODI squads because they like to use him a 12 man as he is one of the best outfielders in the country.If he isn't good enough to make the starting 11 then he should be playing in the remaining Championship matches for Yorkshire working on his wicket keeping & batting.

Tim Bresnan is out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture of the lower back.He may well struggle to be fit for the winter tour to Australia.
England are now forced to change a winning team for the 5th Test at The Oval.If they were considering resting Anderson this is now less likely as I can't see them making more than one change to the bowling attack,Tremlett must now be favourite to play.

It's a shame having to mess around with a winning team maybe give Bopara another shot at test level? I bet Bresnan will be gutted to miss Aussie for sure unless someone performs a miracle on him. The oval is one of those wickets where you can't really tell when it'll turn. I hope I will be a good wicket to keep the gamer interesting and exciting for good climax to series. For my England man of series it has to be Anderson Aussie man of series probably Rodgers

Shame for Bresnan but I'd go for bowler like Finn or Tremlett as replacement. Men of series for me are Swann and Harris, here's hoping for 4-0!

I forgot about Finn. Just hope he doesn't give away too many loose balls. Pity we couldn't tempt Hoggard or the Ashington Arrow out of retirement for one last crack!!